Key holder



Feb. 5;"1952 H. C. RIEPE KEY HOLDER Filed Marbh 19, 1951 HERBERT C. RIEPE 1N VEN TOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 5, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to key holders and has for its primary object the provision of an inexpensive construction including relatively large tilting selectors or tabs for releasing the selected house key, automobile key, or other key carried in the holder by means of one hand only, and without looking at the keys or holder, as frequently required in the dark while the remaining hand is otherwise occupied.

Another object of the inventio is to provide a relatively thin and compact key holder capable of accomplishing the foregoing object.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a key holderembodying the features of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the key holder illustrated inFi'gure 1.

Figure 3 is a projected end view of Figure 2, and showing one of the tilting selectors in its aouated position and a corresponding key carried by the holder dropping to its extended position.

Figure 4 is an end view showing the partially assembled holder, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the key holder base.

The form of the invention shown includes a substantially rectangular flat base I of sheet metal or the like and having a triangular projection I! at one end thereof, together with a hole l2 in the latter for hanging the assembly on a wall hook or nail, not shown.

Inwardly of the hole l2 there is another hole l3 for receiving a fiat head screw l4 perpendicular to the plane of the base l0. Projections l5, l6 and ll of successively increased lengths are formed from the base l0 and preferably have the widths thereof in alignment with each other, the longest said projection I! being relatively near the screw l4 and the shortest projection l remote therefrom. The line defined by the projections |5, I6 and l! falls to one side of the screw |4 for reasons which will become apparent. Small integral lugs I8, l9 and 20 extend from the ends of the projections l5, l6 and I? for engaging corresponding openings (not numbered) in the ends of elongated key partitions 2|, 22 and 23. Laterally projecting actuating selectors 24, 25 and 26 are respectively integral with the ends of the partitions 2|, 22 and 23 for tilting the latter and raising inwardly formed tabs 21, 28 and 29 also in said partitions and opposite the selector keys. Preferably, the selectors 24, 25 and 26 do not extend outwardly beyond the adjacent side of the base Ill.

The ends of the key partitions 2|, 22 and 23, opposite the described selectors 24, 25 and 26, are mounted on the screw l4 means of holes (not numbered) therein, and have tubular spacers,

such as 30, Figure 4, positioned therebetween and around the screw. The length of each spacer 39 is slightly greater than the width of each house or other key 3|, 32 or 33 carried in the holder, and the diameter of the spacer is small enough to fit the respective holes formed in such keys for carrying purposes. A rosette type nut 34 is threaded on the screw I4 and bears against the outer surface of the outer partition 23. It will be noted that the described arrangement of the projections |5, l6 and IT prevents the key 3|, 32 and 33 from extending outwardly from the holder on the side thereof on which the selectors 24, 25 and 26 are located.

In operation the holder assembly is held in one hand with the selectors 24, 25 and 26 directed upwardly. The desired selector key 24, 25 or 23 is pressed toward the base l0, allowing the corresponding key 3|, 32 or 33 to fall, and the thus extended key is then used in the usual manner.

The described form of the invention is not restrictive, but may be made in many ways within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A key holder comprising a flat substantially rectangular base, a screw projecting from the surface of said base at one end thereof and adapted to pivotally receive the keys to be carried thereon, elongated key partitions spaced from each other and secured at corresponding ends thereof to said screw, selector tabs laterally projecting from said partiitions on the ends thereof opposite said screw, inwardly formed tabs in the sides of said partitions opposite said selector tabs, and fulcrum means supported by said base and individually engaging said partitions between said selector tabs and said inwardly formed tabs.

2. A key holder as defined in claim 1, and wherein said elongated key partitions are of difleren't lengths, the longest of which is adjacent said base and the shortest of which is remote therefrom.

3. A key holder as defined in claim 1 and wherein said fulcrum means is comprised of projections extending from the surface of said base and individually pivotally engaging said partitions.

HERBERT C. RIEPE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,198,110 Fischer Apr. 23, 1940 2,274,820 Bills Mar. 3, 1942 2,433,644 Bennetch Dec. 30, 1947 2,467,614 Duyn Apr. 19, 1949 2,468,959 Cannon May 3, 1949 

